System In Botswana Research Articles

In permanent opposition: Botswana's other political parties

Political opposition parties are considered crucial to the nurturing, enhancing and consolidating of democracy in every political system. Indeed, their existence is proof of political tolerance, competitive party elections, the provision of choices to the voting public and the possibility of alternation in power. However, the political opposition on the African continent is generally weak, and particularly so in Botswana, resulting in the predominance of the ruling party in political affairs. This article analyses the weaknesses of Botswana's opposition parties by tracing their historical evolution, characteristics, electoral base, and performance against the background of the political and electoral system in Botswana and the strength of the ruling party itself. It concludes that future prospects for the opposition to make greater inroads into the Botswana Democratic Party's support are small because of the fragmented nature of the opposition itself and the relative satisfaction of citizens with the current government's performance.

Instructional Supervision in Botswana Secondary Schools

This study was conducted to determine how instructional supervision was carried out in schools. The study begins with a brief outline of the decentralization of the inspection system in Botswana. It proceeds to present a brief global historical background of instructional supervision before findings on instructional supervision are discussed. Evidence from the findings, which were obtained from teachers and headteachers through a structured questionnaire and interview, suggests that the environment in which instructional supervision takes place in schools is rather hostile and intimidating to teachers to make any meaningful impression on the improvement of teaching standards. Instructional supervisors’ effectiveness is constrained by the much expanded secondary education system that has seen a massive increase in schools and teachers in a relatively short time. The study concludes with the recommendation that, for instructional supervision to fully benefit schools, it needs restructuring so that the teachers and the headteachers play a more meaningful and effective role.

Comparative assessment of water infiltration of soils under different tillage systems in eastern Botswana

Water infiltration is an important component of water balance for improving crop production potential in dryland soil tillage systems in Botswana, particularly in the eastern region. Hardsetting soils common in arable lands of Botswana, often require some kind of tillage such as mouldboard ploughing, chiselling and ripping to improve waterharvesting and crop growth conditions. The objective of this study was to compare ponded cumulative infiltration, steady state infiltration rate and sorptivity of soils cultivated using deep ripping, single and double mouldboard ploughing. This study was conducted on Chromic Luvisols (sandy loam), Haplic Luvisols (sandy clay loam), Ferric Luvisols (clay loam), and Ferric Arenosols (sand). Infiltration was measured using double ring infiltrometer method for 4 h. Although infiltration was smaller on traffic line of deep ripping system at all sites, it was only significantly ( P < 0.05) different on Ferric Luvisols and Ferric Arenosols. Compared with conventional ploughing, steady state infiltration was greater but not significantly ( P > 0.05) different under deep ripped. Cumulative and steady state infiltration rate was greater under sandy than loamy soils, smaller under double ploughing compared with single ploughed and deep ripped soils. Sorptivity was not significantly ( P > 0.05) different among tillage systems but was greater under sandy than sandy loam soils. Information on tillage and infiltration can improve implementation of waterharvesting technologies and crop production in Botswana.

Monitoring Maternity Mortality in Botswana

This paper describes the maternity monitoring system in Botswana, developed in 1998, and the main methods used: maternal death and morbidity reviews at service delivery level, analysis by the National Maternal Mortality Audit Committee of data from the reviews as reported on two forms, perinatal reviews and surveys using process indicators. We carried out a study of these findings to examine whether the system was working well. Surveys using process indicators in 2001 and 2006 were analysed. Other data examined were from 2004–2006 and early 2007. The Maternal Death Notification Form was found to be comprehensive but not all health facilities were submitting them and some gave incomplete information. In 2001, 70% of pregnant women attended antenatal care but access to emergency obstetric care was uneven. In 2006, 28 facilities with maternity services surveyed were providing 24-hour delivery care, but laboratory, theatre and blood supplies were more limited, and only 50% of doctors and 67% of midwives had life-saving skills. Antibiotics were widely available, but there were shortages of magnesium sulphate, diazepam, oxytocics and manual vacuum aspiration kits. Recommendations for improvements have been made, training for skilled attendants is ongoing and a medical school has just opened at the University of Botswana.RésuméLe Botswana a instauré un système de surveillance de la maternité en 1998. Il utilise les analyses de la mortalité et de la morbidité maternelles au niveau de la prestation des services, l’étude par le Comité national de contrôle de la mortalité maternelle des données des analyses, telles que notifiées dans deux formulaires, les enquêtes périnatales à l’aide d’indicateurs de processus. On a étudié ces conclusions pour déterminer si le système fonctionne bien et on a analysé des enquêtes utilisant les indicateurs de processus en 2001 et 2006. D’autres données dataient de 2004–2006 et début 2007. Le formulaire de notification des décès maternels est complet, mais n’est pas envoyé par tous les centres de santé et donne parfois des informations fragmentaires. En 2001, 70% des femmes enceintes bénéficiaient de soins prénatals, mais l’accès aux soins obstétricaux d’urgence était inégal. En 2006, 28 maternités visées par l’enquête assuraient des accouchements 24 heures sur 24, mais l’accès aux laboratoires, aux salles d’opération et aux produits sanguins était plus limité, et seulement 50% des médecins et 67% des sages-femmes possédaient des compétences capables de sauver la vie. Les antibiotiques étaient largement disponibles, mais des pénuries de sulfate de magnésium, de diazépam, d’ocytociques et de trousses d’aspiration manuelle se produisaient. Des recommandations ont été formulées pour améliorer les services, la formation des agents qualifiés est en cours et une école de médecine vient d’ouvrir à l’Université du Botswana.ResumenEn este artículo se describe el sistema de monitoreo de maternidad en Botsuana, creado en 1998, y los principales métodos utilizados: revisiones de morbimortalidad materna en los puntos de entrega de servicios, análisis por el Comité Nacional de Auditoría de Mortalidad Materna de los datos de las revisiones, conforme informados en dos formularios, revisiones y encuestas perinatales utilizando indicadores de proceso. Realizamos un estudio de estos hallazgos para examinar si el sistema funcionaba bien. Se analizaron las encuestas utilizando los indicadores de proceso en 2001 y 2006. Otros datos examinados fueron de 2004–2006 y principios de 2007. Se encontró que el Formulario de Notificación de Muerte Materna era completo, pero no todos los establecimientos de salud lo estaban llenando y algunos daban información incompleta. En 2001, el 70% de las mujeres embarazadas recibieron atención antenatal, pero no todas tenían acceso a los cuidados obstétricos de emergencia. En 2006, se estaba brindando atención a partos las 24 horas, en 28 establecimientos con servicios de maternidad encuestados, pero los suministros de laboratorio, quirófano y sangre estaban más limitados y sólo el 50% de los médicos y el 67% de las parteras contaban con habilidades para salvar vidas. Los antibióticos se conseguían con facilidad, pero había escasez de sulfato de magnesio, diazepán, oxitócicos e instrumental de aspiración manual endouterina. Se han hecho recomendaciones para mejoramientos, se continúa capacitando a parteras calificadas y se acaba de inaugurar la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Botsuana.

Teacher appraisal in Botswana secondary schools: a critical analysis

Recent policy on teacher appraisal in Botswana emphasises that the process should be professional, non-threatening and constructive. The extent to which the teachers themselves experience their appraisal as meaningful was investigated. The findings indicated that teachers had varying experiences and mixed feelings about the appraisal process. It emerged that many teachers viewed the current teacher appraisal system in Botswana as demoralising, even threatening. Our study confirmed the thesis that all parties involved in the teacher appraisal process should know its purposes, and should interpret and apply these in a uniform, professional way. The empirical and theoretical findings of our study showed that the current teacher appraisal system as practised in Botswana secondary schools requires further improvement to ensure general professional acceptance and implementation. The interpretation of the research findings cannot be confined to the Botswana borders. There is hardly a country in the world where teacher appraisal is not a contentious issue. South African Journal of Education Vol. 26(2) 2006: 215–228

Forecasting runoff coefficients using ANN for water resources management: The case of Notwane catchment in Eastern Botswana

Forecasting future response behaviour of a semi-arid catchment in terms of runoff coefficient being trivial, an attempt has been made to apply an artificial neural network (ANN) model to forecast the runoff coefficients (ROC) for the rapidly urbanizing Notwane catchment system in Botswana. Runoff coefficients computed from 1978 to 2000, by the water balance technique have been used to develop the optimal network architecture with appropriate choice of the size of input vectors, number of hidden layers and number of neurons in the hidden layers, training algorithms and transfer functions for the network. The developed network has then been used to simulate the runoff coefficients for the above period. Based on its performance in terms of reproducibility of the water balance runoff coefficients, the network was used to forecast the runoff coefficients up to 2020 and it was found that the increase in runoff coefficients is about 1% per year. Based on the weights given by the network to the input variables, it was found that while about 48% contribution came from climatic factors, 52% came from the land use/land cover.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR, URBAN WATER CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A STAKEHOLDER THEORY-DRIVEN PERSPECTIVE FROM BOTSWANA

ABSTRACT Botswana is a semi-arid and water scarce country with a fast growing urban population. The private sector is an important actor for the urban economy to remain functional and competitive. This has to be supported by adequate water for all sectors of the economy. The contribution of private sector companies in Botswana, whose activities are water dependent to urban water conservation efforts have not been fully documented. This study set out to determine this role. It was found that most companies recognise that water in Botswana is scarce, and some have their own voluntary internal conservation schemes. However, these individual water conservation initiatives are not recognised and incorporated into the wider urban water management system in Botswana.

A Survey of Small-scale Layer Production Systems in Botswana

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to investigate small-scale layer production systems in Botswana. The survey covered layer farms in the districts of Francistown and Letlhakane in the eastern part of Botswana, and examined aspects of productivity parameters, housing, management and diseases. The average hen day production in small-scale layer farms was 71.7% and the average daily feed intake was 108.1 g per hen. An average of 1 740 g feed was required to produce one dozen eggs. Hens were culled after 52 weeks in production (around 78 weeks of age). During this period, a hen produced an average of 245 eggs. These productivity levels were well below the standards indicated by the breeding companies. The average mortality from 18 weeks of age to culling was 8.46%. Diseases or conditions reportedly associated with these deaths included Newcastle Disease, prolapse of the uterus and enteritis. Factors responsible for the poor layer performance under small farm conditions in Botswana are clearly complex, but poor managerial skills, irregular feed supply and, poor quality of feed and pullets are major contributing reasons. The lower production levels, however, suggest that there is considerable potential for improvement. survey, small-scale poultry operations are defined as Although the Government has actively supported the those valued up to P75 000 (P1.00 = US$0.179) in terms expansion of the poultry industry under the auspices of of fixed assets and flock sizes of less than 2 000 hens. Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) for the past two Small-scale projects were selected because these decades, the commercial production systems have comprise about 80% of the total poultry projects and never been characterized. Over the years, the Ministry of have a significant employment and income generation Agriculture has used several production indices for the role for the rural-based population of Botswana. No budgeting of small-scale layer projects. The average reliable data is available on the exact number of small- hen-day production is considered to be 75%, and it i s scale layer projects in Botswana, but it is thought around assumed that each bird consumes 120 g of layer feed 80 projects are currently in operation. Of which about 30 per day with a hen-housed production of 300 eggs (MOA, 1999). How closely these assumed standards compare with actual farm productivity levels is not known. The present study was initiated with the objective of obtaining baseline information on specific aspects of productio n systems and productivity in small-scale commercial poultry operations in Botswana.

Influence of Feed Type on Egg Production of Tswana Laying Chicken

The experiment was done at estate management Unit in Sebele, Gaborone. Ten 23 weeks old laying Tswana chickens were bought from a local farmer and divided into two groups of five each, using complete randomized design. Group one was fed on layer mash and the other group was fed on composite local feed which was a mixture of sorghum, maize and sunflower traditionally used as a supplementary feed under free range system in Botswana. All layers were dewormed using Piperazine and treated with oxytetrazine to present disease. 250g of feed and 200ml of water were provided ad-libitum. The layers were individually caged to monitor daily feed and water intake. Collection and weighing of eggs were done every day for 90 days. Tswana layers fed on layers mash produced on average five eggs per week while those on composite local feed produced one egg per week that is 400% more production on layers compared to local supplementary feed.

HIV surveillance: a global perspective.

This article provides an overview of recommendations for HIV surveillance. Results of surveillance are used in practice to inform program decisions, judge the effectiveness of the national response, lobby for effective programs, and to provide accurate measures of trends and the absolute state of the epidemic. Recommended surveillance activities differ for different epidemic situations-epidemics that are concentrated in defined groups with high-risk behavior, and epidemics that are well established among heterosexuals in the population at large. Surveillance systems in countries with different levels of the epidemic face major challenges, most of which revolve around identifying and obtaining information from representative samples of the at-risk populations. A brief examination of surveillance systems in Botswana and Vietnam illustrate how these challenges are being met in practice. While there is room for improvement, HIV surveillance systems in many developing countries are relatively robust, and are growing stronger all the time. In most countries, however, insufficient use is made of the information generated by these systems in terms of strengthening HIV prevention and care programs.

Community mental health nurses’ experience of decentralised and integrated psychiatric-mental health care services in the Southern mental health region of Botswana (part 1)

Since the inception of the decentralisation and integration of psychiatric mental health care services into the general health care delivery system in Botswana, there has never been a study to investigate what community mental health nurses are experiencing due to the policy. Many of these nurses have been leaving the scantily staffed mental health care services in increasing numbers to join other sectors of health or elsewhere since the beginning of the implementation of the policy. During the research study, phenomenological in-depth interviews were conducted with three groups of 12 community mental health nurses altogether. An open central question was posed to each group followed by probing questions to explore and describe these nurses’ experience of the decentralisation and integration of psychiatric-mental health care services. After the data was analysed, related literature was incorporated and guidelines for advanced psychiatric nurses were formulated and described to assist these nurses to cope with the decentralisation and integration of psychiatric-mental health care services. The guidelines were set up for the management of the community mental health nurses who are experiencing obstacles in the quest for mental health which also interfere with their capabilities as mental health care providers.

Corporal Punishment: The brutal face of Botswana's authoritarian schools

Corporal punishment is part of the penal system in Botswana, however, in schools the regulations governing its use are honoured more in breach than observance. This article uses qualitative research methods to explore the prevalence of caning in the teaching methods of seven new teachers, neophytes, in five junior secondary schools. The neophytes' espoused and enacted beliefs about caning are examined in the context of socialisation at their homes, during their own schooling, at colleges of education and their new workplaces. Contrary to the teachers' beliefs that caning is inherent in 'African culture', this article argues that it is part of a historically embedded cycle of authoritarian coping strategies of teaching, from schools to colleges of education and back to schools, bequeathed to the country by colonialism.

African Women and Children: Crisis and Response

Introduction Females and Gender Status in Eastern and Southern Africa: A Comparative Critique by Anthony Hopkin The Impact of Parental Separation and Divorce on Children: A Southern African Perspective by Tapologo Maundeni Child Abuse: A Sociological Perspective by Norma Romm and Apollo Rwomire Traditional Institutions and the Violation of Women's Human Rights in Africa: The Nigerian Case by Abdul-Mumin Sa'ad The Trokosi System in Ghana: Discrimination against Women and Children by Nana Boaten Feminization of Poverty: Effects of the Arable Lands Development Programme, Botswana by Gwen Lesetedi Prostitution, Patriarchy, and Marriage: A Zimbabwean Case Study by Ishmael Magaisa Unequal Opportunities and Gender Access to Power in Nigeria by Roseline Onah Constaints on Women's Participation in Zambian Politics: A Comparative Analysis of the First, Second, and Third Republics by Bertha Osei-Hwedie Street Children: A New Liberation Movement? by Arnon Bar-On Housing Delivery Systems in Botswana: Inadequacy of Gender Neutral Policies by Faustin Kalabaum Women, Knowledge, and Power in Environmental and Social Change by Mark Chingono Bibliography Appendix

Drainage evolution in south-central Africa since the breakup of Gondwana

The drainage system in south-central Africa has undergone major reorganisations since the disruption of Gondwana. Isopachs of the Kalahari sequence and a variety of geomorphological features can be used to pinpoint abandoned drainage lines. Continental fluvial sediments of Mesozoic-Cenozoic age reflect river systems which existed prior to and immediately following continental break-up. The east coast sedimentary sequence documents changes in the location of major supplies of terrigenous sediments, and provides a framework for establishing the timing of changes in drainage configuration. This evidence indicates that during the upper Jurassic to Cretaceous, the Okavango, Cuando and Zambezi-Luangwa rivers formed the headwaters of the proto-Limpopo. The lower-Zambezi-Shire formed a separate graben-bound river system with a discharge point into the Indian Ocean in the vicinity of mouth of the present-day Zambezi. A third major drainage entered the Indian in the vicinity of the modern Save mouth. End Cretaceous uplift along the Okavango-Kalahari-Zimbabwe Axis severed the links between the Limpopo and the Okavango, Cuando and Zambezi-Luangwa. This resulted in a senile endoreic drainage system which supplied sediment to the Kalahari basin. However, the uplift rejuvenated the lower Zambezi, initiating headward erosion and progressive capture of the Luangwa, upper Zambezi and Kafue. Predatory headward extension of the Zambezi is still active, and this river will eventually capture the Okavango. The model developed for drainage reorganisation provides a framework for interpreting kimberlitic heavy mineral dispersion patterns. It also forms the basis for explaining fish and plant dispersion patterns, and understanding recent water level fluctuations in the Makgadigadi pans system in Botswana.

New Developments in the National Examination System in Botswana

New Developments in the National Examination System in Botswana

The Slow Evolution of the Party System in Botswana

Having held competitive multi-party elections on a regular basis since 1965 Botswana presents a unique case in the African context for the study of the evolution of the party system over a considerable period of time. During this period the socio-economic conditions in which the party system operates has been transformed largely as a result of spectacular economic growth. This article seeks to explain how and why the party system of Botswana has changed during this period and also why it has changed relatively slowly. It is argued that Botswana has experienced a continuous movement away from a dominant-party system. A combination of factors relating to both human agency and socio-economic structure provide the basis of the explanation for change.

Empirical evidence of mechanization effects on smallholder crop production systems in Botswana

Draught animal power (DAP) is well established as the traditional farming technology of smallholder farmers in Botswana. However, in recent years, the use of tractor farm technology is increasingly becoming important among smallholder farmers in spite of the on-going debate on the desirability of mechanizing smallholder crop production systems. Using 1991 and 1992 farm management survey data on 127 randomly selected smallholder farmers from seven villages, this paper provides a comparative economic analysis for DAP and tractor farming systems. Specifically, attention is devoted to the impact and implications of ‘tractorization’ on total crop output, crop income, cropping emphasis and resources utilization. The survey evidence refutes any economic justification for the current use of tractors in the area by the smallholding farmers. In fact, the results show that the use of tractors has a significant negative impact on crop production income and household labour economy.

Food security and nutrition monitoring for drought relief management: The case of Botswana

Botswana presents an example of a relatively successful programme of drought relief management in the Southern African region. The programme has evolved over a long period and has been reasonably effective in safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable population groups, particularly during the long drought of 1982–1987 as well as more recently in 1992. The key contributory factors include: a small and largely accessible national population, availability of domestic and international resources, existence of rural infrastructure, government commitment, district-level capacity and a timely and fairly comprehensive food security and nutrition monitoring system. The main focus of this paper is on the role of the food security and nutrition monitoring system in Botswana's drought relief management, the context for its operation, and its use in policy making and programme design. The evolution of the information system and institutional coordination thereof is traced with analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the drought relief programme is assessed in the context of persistent poverty, growing inequalities and of recent changes which aim to bring about some reduction of state subsidies. Conclusions and policy implications are drawn and their relevance for other African countries is outlined.

Criminal justice and the problems of a dual legal system in Botswana

Criminal justice and the problems of a dual legal system in Botswana

Three years experience with an on-farm macro-catchment water harvesting system in Botswana

An on-farm macro-catchment water harvesting system was evaluated over three distinctly different seasons in eastern Botswana. Water harvesting improved sorghum grain yield two- to threefold during seasons with low or poorly distributed rainfall. Greater yields were associated with higher pre-planting soil moisture, higher profile soil moisture, higher water use, and a larger and deeper root system. Storms with a minimum of 20 mm day −1 rainfall were associated with runoff volume exceeding 1000 m 3. The probability of receiving such a storm annually during pre-planting, heading and flowering, and grain fill periods exceeded 80%. The catchment/cultivated area ratio was between 17:1 and 50:1.